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Library Oversewn (Class A) Hardbound Books
Information
"What is a ALA Certified Library
Oversewn Book?"
Click here for more in depth information on the actual
oversewing process.
For many years, oversewing
has been widely recognized as the
 cornerstone
of library binding.
Traditional oversewing
provides an extremely strong, durable, and relatively economical method of
binding. Many library binders have chosen oversewing
as their
preferred method
of leaf (page) attachment. Oversewing
is an excellent method of leaf attachment, as long as the paper condition is
good and the inner margin is adequate. Because
of the
foundation and guiding goals of ALA Certified Library Oversewn/Class A binding, it is
and also excellent choice for re-binding.
Machine oversewing was first introduced in
1920 and has since become the primary method of leaf attachment used by library
binders. This method, whether utilized by hand or machine, requires that each book be divided into small sections of
individual pages or leaves.
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With rebinds,
this is often accomplished by milling or cutting the spine
of each book to remove the glue and/or original sewing. In some
cases, a binder may elect to take a book apart by hand with a knife.
This operation accomplishes the task of dividing the book into small
sections (approximately 8-20 pages each) without loss of inner margins
and generally results in an extra charge. Books receiving normal spine
preparation on a milling machine lose up to 1/8 inch of their
inner margin. Precautions must be taken to insure that all books
designated for oversewing have remaining inner margins (after spine
milling) which have a minimum of ½ inch. After spine
preparation, the books are ready for the machine oversewing
process. |
 Sections of the book are placed into the
machine at a 45 degree angle and are then clamped. Vertical punches (spaced 1
inch apart) punch holes through the pages of each section. Threaded needles pass
through the punched holes, enter through the spine,
and exit the section approximately 3/16 inch in from the back edge of the page.
Horizontal shuttle needles then pass through each of the separately formed
thread loops and complete the stitch. The process is repeated to form successive
lock stitches up the spine
of the book and combined with the hard cover case.
Major Advantages of Oversewing:
Versatility - any book up to a 15 inch
height, unlimited width, and up to five inch thickness
can be machine oversewn (Gregath suggests no more
than 400 pages/200 sheets per book).
Strength - lock stitch sewing provides exceptional strength and
maximum flexibility.
Click here for more in depth information on the actual
oversewing process.
All cover services are available as part of a
complete publishing package, POD (small quantity charges may apply), and binding
only.
Get even more
technical!
The
full set of current LBI standards can be freely downloaded in PDF
format by going to their website.
Sources for this section:
Methods of Affixing Leaves: Options and Implications, Paul Parisi
ANSI/NISO/LBI
Standard for Library Binding
American Library Association (ALA)
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> ALA Certified Library Oversewn Binding Information
This Page Last Updated:
April 13, 2012
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